S1 E12: Post-War New Zealand | RNZ

Summary

This video delves into New Zealand's post-World War II transformation, highlighting the evolution of Kiwi identity. It explores the shift from British colonial ties to a more distinct New Zealand identity, emphasizing Māori urbanization, cultural movements, and the challenges faced by both Māori and Pacific Islander communities. The narrative examines significant political and social changes, including the impact of economic shifts, the Māori Renaissance, the Dawn Raids, and the Treaty of Waitangi. Ultimately, it portrays New Zealand’s journey toward cultural independence and its evolving national consciousness in the 20th century.

Takeaways

• 😀 The emergence of Kiwi identity after World War II marked a shift from seeing New Zealanders as British or European to identifying as New Zealanders, influenced by cultural icons like buzzy bees and chili bins.
• 😀 The post-war baby boom in New Zealand saw one of the highest birth rates in the developed world, with Maori and Pākehā women having large families. The war also sparked the beginning of Maori urbanization.
• 😀 The movement of Maori from rural areas to cities led to challenges, including racism, as New Zealand was highly segregated, though not legally enforced like in the USA or South Africa.
• 😀 The 1951 waterfront dispute in New Zealand was a major industrial action that led to the government's crack down on unions, with accusations of communist influence, eventually leading to the defeat of the striking workers.
• 😀 The government’s response to the 1951 waterfront dispute, including sending in troops and passing harsh laws, helped the National Party solidify its position as the party of stability, winning elections until 1981.
• 😀 The 1950s also saw a cultural shift among New Zealand's youth, with baby boomers adopting new styles like Elvis haircuts and fancy suits. This period also saw the rise of street gangs and protests against moral panic over 'teen immorality'.
• 😀 The government in 1954 responded to moral panic about youth with the Mason-Garb Report, banning contraceptives for people under 16 and censoring films and books related to crime and sex, which marked a conservative cultural push.
• 😀 By the 1960s and 1970s, the cultural shift towards a more independent Kiwi identity gained momentum, spurred by economic changes, especially New Zealand's decreasing reliance on the UK after its entry into the European Economic Community in 1973.
• 😀 New Zealand became culturally more independent from Britain, with the development of local Kiwi art, music, and cultural symbols, including the emergence of homegrown celebrities and artists like Sir Edmund Hillary and playwrights such as Bruce Mason.
• 😀 The dawn raids on Pacific immigrants during the 1970s sparked protests, with groups like the Polynesian Panthers rallying against the treatment of Pacific Islanders and Māori activists, leading to the broader Māori Renaissance, including movements for land rights and language recognition.

Q & A

What key event marks the beginning of the shift in New Zealand’s national identity after WWII?

The shift began after WWII, when New Zealanders stopped seeing themselves as British or European and started identifying as New Zealanders. This was also accompanied by a series of social and political changes, such as increased urbanization and the decline of traditional British influence.

How did the Maori population change in the years following WWII?

The Maori population saw rapid urbanization after WWII. Before the war, most Maori lived in rural areas, but by 1960, a significant portion had moved to cities due to labor demands. This urbanization led to Maori becoming 83% urban by 1980, marking one of the fastest urbanization rates in world history.

What was the social impact of the Maori migration to urban areas?

Maori migrants faced significant challenges in urban areas, including racism and the loss of connections to their ancestral lands. The informal segregation in New Zealand led to discrimination in places like bars, hotels, and cinemas, where Maori and other non-European groups were often treated unfairly.

What were the causes and effects of the 1951 Waterfront Dispute?

The 1951 Waterfront Dispute was caused by a conflict over pay and conditions between the Waterside Workers Union and shipping companies. The New Zealand government declared a state of emergency, sending in troops to take over dock operations. The dispute had severe economic consequences, costing the country millions, and it marked a turning point in industrial relations and political alignments in New Zealand.

How did the 1950s youth culture challenge traditional norms in New Zealand?

The 1950s youth culture in New Zealand, marked by baby boomers, saw teens adopting new styles, such as Elvis-inspired haircuts and clothing. Some pushed boundaries further, joining motorcycle gangs and engaging in minor criminal activity. This era also saw a decline in church attendance, which alarmed conservative elements of society.

What role did the Mason Report play in New Zealand’s moral panic during the 1950s?

The Mason Report of 1954 stoked fears of rising teen immorality, blaming various modern influences, such as crime novels and contraceptives. It led to government crackdowns, including the outlawing of contraceptives for those under 16 and stricter censorship of films and literature, reflecting a wider moral panic over cultural change.

What economic factors led to New Zealand distancing itself from Britain?

New Zealand's economic dependence on Britain diminished in the 1960s and 1970s. A collapse in wool prices in 1966 and the UK's decision to join the European Economic Community in 1973 meant that New Zealand had to diversify its economy. This shift led to New Zealand becoming economically independent and increasingly distanced from British cultural influence.

How did the cultural landscape in New Zealand evolve during the mid-20th century?

New Zealand's cultural landscape evolved with the rise of local artists, writers, and musicians who embraced a distinct Kiwi identity. Figures like Sir Edmund Hillary, the rise of local poets, and the production of homegrown music and art symbolized the country's emerging independence and cultural uniqueness.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi Act of 1975?

The Treaty of Waitangi Act of 1975 established the Waitangi Tribunal, which allowed for the investigation of Treaty breaches. This was a pivotal moment in New Zealand’s recognition of Maori rights and led to ongoing efforts to address past wrongs, including land restitution and formal apologies.

What were the Dawn Raids of the 1970s, and why were they significant?

The Dawn Raids of the 1970s involved the New Zealand government forcibly deporting Pacific Islanders who had overstayed their visas, often with racial profiling. This discriminatory action sparked protests and led to the formation of activist groups like the Polynesian Panthers, highlighting the racial tensions in the country.